456 DISEASES OF THE IHORSE. 
simple and efficient. It consists solely in the administration of large 
doses of nitrate of potash and the continued application to the feet 
and ankles of cold water. 
Three to four ounces of saltpeter in a pint of water, repeated every 
six hours, is a proper dose. The laminitis frequently subsides within 
a week. These large doses may be continued for a week without 
danger. Under no circumstances have I seen the kidneys irritated 
to excess or other unfavorable effects produced. 
The feet should be kept in a tub of water at a temperature of 
45° to 50° F., unless the animal is lying down, when swabs are to 
be used and wet every half hour with the cold water. The water 
keeps the horn soft and moist and acts directly upon the inflamed 
tissues by reducing the temperature. Cold maintains the vitality and 
disease-resisting qualities of the soft tissues, tones up the coats of 
the blood vessels, diminishes the supply of blood, and limits the 
exudation. Furthermore, it has an anesthetic effect upon the dis- 
eased tissues and relieves the pain. 
Aconite may be given in conjunction with the niter when the heart 
is greatly excited and beats strongly. Ten-drop doses, repeated 
every 2 hours for 24 hours, are sufficient. The use of cathartics is 
dangerous, for they may excite superpurgation. Usually the niter 
will relieve the constipation; yet if it should prove obstinate, laxa- 
tives may be carefully given. Bleeding, both general and _ local, 
should be guarded against. The shoes must be early removed and 
the soles left unpared. 
Paring of the soles presents two objections: First, while it may 
temporarily relieve the pain by relieving pressure, it favors greater 
exudation, which may more than counterbalance the good effects. 
Secondly, it makes the feet tender and subject to bruises when the 
animal again goes to work. The shoes should be replaced when con- 
valescence sets in and the animal is ready to take exercise. Exercise 
should never be enforced until the inflammation has subsided; for 
although it temporarily relieves the pain and soreness it maintains 
the irritation, increases the exudation, and postpones recovery. 
If at the end of the fifth or sixth day prominent symptoms of 
recovery are not apparent, apply a stiff blister of cantharides around 
the coronet and omit the niter for about 48 hours. When the blister 
is well set, the feet may again receive wet swabs. If one blister 
does not remove the soreness it may be repeated, or the actual cautery 
applied. The same treatment should be adopted where sidebones 
form or inflammation of the coronet bone follows. When the sole 
breaks through, exposing the soft tissues, the feet must be carefully 
shod with thin heels and thick toes if there is a tendency to walk 
on the heels, and the sole must be well protected with appropriate 
dressings and pressure over the exposed parts. When there is turn- 
